Before a strategy becomes a success story, it's a judgement call. Now in its second season, Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions gets inside the decisions that defined some of the world's greatest leaders - a bet the market couldn't yet see, a crisis that put the organisation's purpose to the…
How do you grow a billion dollar business in the face of extreme turbulence? Bruno Lasansky is CEO of Localiza&Co, a Brazilian car rental company that began with just six secondhand VW Beetles in 1973. From surging interest rates to industry altering government policies, there are few companies that have faced adversity quite like Localiza. But for Bruno, turbulence is not something to be scared of. Under his leadership, Localiza&Co has become South America's largest mobility network, and today, it has more than 600,000 cars. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Bruno as they discuss…
When did showing up become optional? In 2009 Michelle Zatlyn co-founded Cloudflare, a tech startup that powers 45% of all Fortune 500 companies through solving problems that were keeping their leaders up at night. The surprising thing is, Michelle had no background in engineering. She developed an expertise through showing up, leveraged her own strengths to build a billion dollar business, and wrote a playbook all founders can learn from in the process. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Michelle as they discuss the importance of solving problems that people care about, how to build…
What does it take to build a business that can pass the purpose-driven test? Before becoming group CEO and Office of the President at Mars, Poul Weihrauch led a generational transformation of Mars Pet Care that was defined by the things he didn’t do. Poul didn’t pursue a rapid integration or underestimate complexity, and he refined financial strategies by rejecting synergy. Through these unconventional leadership decisions Poul doubled Mars Pet Care’s size, and tripled its organic growth rate. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Poul as they discuss the value of embracing complexity…
What does it take to lead a fragmented business through disruptive transformation? When she joined The Economist as Group CEO, Lara Boro faced a divided company, metaphorically, and physically. She quickly won the confidence of the board, by writing off a £12 million, four year long transformation project, and showing that its replacement wouldn’t need a single pound of investment. It could actually fund itself. Through strategic and purpose-based leadership, Lara solidified her legacy of being the person who was able to finally bring two sides of the business together. Join host Jimmy Allen…
How will AI impact the business I have spent years building? When Sal Khan, CEO and founder of Khan Academy, was confronted with this question in 2023 he didn’t wait for someone to answer, he learned quickly and built the outcome he wanted. The result was a personalized learning model that enhanced education for 200 million users across the world. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Sal as they discuss how to embrace the discomfort of navigating disruption, the importance of relearning how to learn, and how CEOs can use AI to strengthen their competitive positions. Sal also reveals…
What does it take to expand worldwide without losing sight of the things that matter most? Daniel Servitje is the executive chairman of Grupo Bimbo, an organization that rose from a small bakery to become one of the largest food corporations in the world. Since taking over in 1997, Daniel has overseen 900% growth and expansion into multiple international markets. Yesterday, he was on a bread truck. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Daniel as they discuss how robust cultures are developed in the field, the long-term value of choosing patience over urgency, and how to navigate…
What are the costs of not daring to make a change? Jacqueline Novogratz is the Founder & CEO of Acumen, an organisation that invests patient capital in enterprises working to reduce poverty around the world. In 2021, she took a $250 million risk when she set out to provide electricity to 75 million people in regions of sub-Saharan Africa that had a 45% electrification rate or below. It paid off. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company and Jacqueline as they discuss what we can learn from creative risk taking, how to balance socioeconomic tensions without compromising the mission, and how…
What does it take to back a decision that may take years to prove itself? Soon after becoming CEO of Stryker, Kevin Lobo backed a $1.6 billion acquisition of Mako, a loss-making robotics company many customers, investors and industry experts believed was unnecessary. The deal would reshape both orthopedic surgery and Stryker’s growth trajectory. Join host Jimmy Allen of Bain & Company as Kevin explains why he saw asymmetric upside in robotic-assisted surgery, how he sustained his conviction through disappointing early results, and how one bold bet became the foundation for a repeatable…
Before a strategy becomes a success story, it's a judgement call. For 35 years, Jimmy Allen has been in the room with the world's most consequential CEOs, and this season, he's bringing you inside those conversations. Twelve leaders. Twelve moments that tested everything they thought they knew about leading. And one question that keeps coming back: it's not just what the CEO should do. It's who the CEO needs to become. Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions, Season Two. Launches July 7th. Join the Conversation: To learn more check out the Founders Mentality website or our CEO Insights hub:…
As this season of Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions comes to a close, we take a step back to ask the question that has driven every conversation: how do you lead and grow in an era of turbulence? In this season finale, host Jimmy Allen revisits the season’s most powerful insights from the leaders of global brands and high-growth innovators, uncovering the new rules of scaling. You’ll hear from founders and CEOs who have mastered the balance between the outer game of strategy and the inner game of leadership, and how they sustain their energy in a role that never stops demanding more.…
What does it really take to stay relevant when the world refuses to stand still? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Marcos Galperin, Founder and Executive Chairman of Mercado Libre, and Chris Zook, Advisory Partner at Bain & Company and co-author of Profit from the Core and The Founder’s Mentality, to explore what it really takes to keep growing when the rules of strategy are being rewritten. From a garage in Buenos Aires to a $100B powerhouse, Marcos shares how Mercado Libre became Latin America’s e-commerce titan, outpacing global rivals and thriving through calm and storm alike.…
How can a hyperscaler grow at lightning speed without losing its soul? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Pedro Arnt, CEO of dLocal and former CFO of Mercado Libre, to explore how to scale at pace while keeping culture, relevance, and energy intact. From building one of Latin America’s most successful e-commerce and fintech giants to steering a new generation of high-growth businesses, Pedro shares what it means to stay adaptable, focus on impact, and reinvent yourself as a leader. We’re also joined by Ann Wright, founder of The Wright Approach and a long-time coach to global CEOs,…
What does it take to stay connected to your customers when scale and complexity threaten to pull you away? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with David Haines, Group CEO of Flora Food Group, to explore how leaders can keep their focus vertical - anchored in the customer and the frontline, while running global organizations. From his early days at Mars and Vodafone to leading GROHE and Flora, David shares stories of how listening, curiosity, and relevance shaped his approach to leadership. He shows why great strategy starts on the shop floor, how moments of truth can differentiate a…
How on earth can we simplify when business complexity feels inevitable? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Stuart Gent, Partner and Co-Head of Europe Private Equity at Bain Capital, to explore how leaders can strip away noise, refocus their teams, and rediscover what truly drives performance. From defining the heart of a business to knowing which problems only the CEO can solve, Stuart shares practical lessons on clarity, focus, and “flow” - the energy that fuels great organizations. We’re also joined by David Fleck, Founder and Managing Partner at Freeflow Ventures, who brings a…
As the year winds down, Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions takes a festive turn. In this special holiday bonus episode, host Jimmy reflects on the season’s conversations with global leaders, each sharing a lesson they bring home to their families. This episode gathers a wreath of insights about resilience, curiosity, and gratitude. You’ll hear from CEOs who’ve learned to sweat the details, embrace hard choices, love the ride, and simply say “thank you.” Whether you’re listening on the way home for the holidays or by the fire with friends, it’s a reminder that the best leadership lessons…
Big companies are built to deliver, but in a world where technology shifts daily and customer needs change overnight, delivery alone isn’t enough. Business building has to become part of the culture. In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Tanuja Randery, Managing Director of Amazon Web Services in EMEA, to explore how AWS scales without becoming a bureaucracy. From codifying leadership principles to democratizing challenges, Tanuja shares how AWS sustains speed and empowers a rare but vital community she calls “scalers” - the people who turn bold ideas into repeatable models. We’re also…
How do you grow a bold idea into a global agribusiness leader… and then reimagine it all over again? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Sunny Verghese, Co-Founder and CEO of Olam, to discuss how repeatable models can deliver both discipline and discovery. From sourcing cashews in Nigeria to building a business that now spans 60 countries, Sunny reflects on how differentiation, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace discomfort shaped Olam’s growth, and his own evolution as a leader. We’re also joined by Tabu Osusa, legendary Kenyan producer, cultural archivist, and co-founder of…
What does it take to ‘refound’ a company that you started, this time in the public spotlight? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Nirav Tolia, Co-Founder and CEO of Nextdoor, to explore the art of reorientating a company without losing momentum. From balancing the pressure of quarterly results with the need to reignite innovation, to radically shifting his own leadership style, Nirav shares the hard choices, personal lessons, and community-first mindset guiding Nextdoor’s next phase. We’re also joined by Herman Spruit, CEO of 361 by FINCA and Advisory Partner at Bain & Company, who…
What happens when a founder’s vision doesn’t just spark a company, but reshapes an entire industry? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Don Katz, founder of Audible, to explore how a writer-turned-entrepreneur built a global brand that redefined the spoken word. From his early influences such as Ralph Ellison and his career at Rolling Stone, to commercializing the first digital audio player, Don shares how artistic passion and relentless innovation fuelled Audible’s rise. He reflects on the challenges of scale, managing complexity, protecting culture, and how his “People Principles”…
What turns a routine into a ritual that actually changes how people work? In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Christina Zhu, President and CEO of Walmart China, to explore how she builds focus and resilience while leading through one of the fastest-changing retail landscapes in the world. From creating “joyful routines” that empower frontline associates, to translating customer centricity into strategy, Christina shares how purpose, simplicity, and trust can both delight customers and transform teams. We’re also joined by Kavita Chaudhary of Jaipur Rugs, who offers a striking example…
Pizza may seem simple, but leading one of the world’s most iconic brands is anything but. In this episode, Jimmy Allen sits down with Aaron Powell, Global CEO of Pizza Hut, to explore how he’s helping the company rediscover its magic in over 20,000 restaurants across 110 countries. From falling back in love with the product to celebrating the heroes of the frontline, Aaron shares how moments of joy, pride, and even a wedding anniversary dinner reveal what truly sets a business apart. We’re also joined by Archie Henderson, the comedian-musician behind the cult character Jazz Emu , who offers…
What does it take to lead - and live - when the world won’t sit still? Founder’s Mentality: The CEO Sessions , hosted by executive advisor and bestselling author Jimmy Allen, goes beyond the boardroom to uncover lessons in leadership and growth. Each episode features candid conversations with top CEOs - from Audible, Walmart, AWS, and more - as well as artists, comedians, and other unconventional thinkers. Through curiosity and vulnerability, these leaders reveal the insights that shaped their businesses and personal journeys. Whether you're a CEO, an emerging executive, or simply passionate…
About Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions
Before a strategy becomes a success story, it's a judgement call. Now in its second season, Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions gets inside the decisions that defined some of the world's greatest leaders - a bet the market couldn't yet see, a crisis that put the organisation's purpose to the…
Founder's Mentality: The CEO Sessions is a English business podcast from Bain & Company. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.
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